VFX Generalist & Software Engineer
Bridging the gap between computer science and digital art through matchmoving, custom pipelines, simulations, and real-time rendering.
About Giovanni Di Grezia
I am a VFX Generalist and Software Developer with a unique profile that bridges the creative and technical spheres. With a solid foundation from both a CG artistry background and a computer science background, I have a deep balance of knowledge that enables me to analyze, build, and modify pipelines, scripts, and algorithms at any stage of production. While I have experience with 3D modeling using polygons and NURBS, I am more inclined towards procedural workflows, automation scripting, rendering, and FX simulations.
My professional journey spans across the academic and research fields, where I explored advanced reconstruction techniques and custom tooling, as well as working as a freelance artist on more artistic and independent sides of projects. In addition, I have hands-on industry experience writing automation scripts for industry-standard software and working as a Quality Engineering (QE) engineer, ensuring software stability and robust code performance.
Matchmove
High-precision manual/automatic matchmoving, lens undistortion profiles, camera solves, and dynamic object reconstruction.
FX (Simulations)
Rigid bodies, mesh fractures, fluid simulation, smoke, and pyro effects driven by physics forces and solver variables.
Lighting & Rendering
Photoreal shading, environment lookup maps, real-time render engine configuration, optimization, and material design.
Compositing
Deep compositing, tracking-point paint outs, clean plates, 3D projections, chroma keying, and grading integrations.
The Mechanics of VFX
A deep dive into the technical building blocks that power every shot — from camera mathematics and lens optics to simulations, shading, and the automation pipelines that hold it all together.
VFX Base: Camera vs. Object Tracking
Camera tracking (matchmoving) reconstructs the physical camera's translation and rotation relative to a static live-action set. Object tracking solves the coordinates of a moving target relative to the camera. It is the absolute foundation of all modern VFX, enabling digital elements to share the exact same spatial perspective.
Plate Prep & Lens Undistortion
Before solving, log footage is de-logged to enhance feature contrast. Camera lenses introduce radial distortion — symmetrical barrel/pincushion, or complex anamorphic asymmetry. Solvers require mathematically "undistorted" footage so linear calculations match the straight lines of 3D space.
Trigonometry & Triangulation
Tools like 3DEqualizer and PFTrack apply trigonometry and triangulation, analyzing how optical points shift across parallax planes over time to reconstruct the physical lens path inside a virtual 3D environment.
Solver Error & Slippage
Even a sub-pixel reprojection error propagates across all frames, causing digital elements to visibly slide or float on the footage. This misalignment immediately exposes the composite as fake — zero tolerance is the standard.
3D Modelling
Polygon and NURBS modelling for hero assets, environment set-extensions, and matchmove geometry hulls. More inclined towards procedural generation — using scripted or node-based workflows to produce complex geometry without manual iteration.
Shading & Lookdev
PBR material authoring, HDRI-based lighting rigs, and deep integration of render AOVs for a physically accurate result. Material networks are built to match on-set references and seamlessly integrate CG surfaces into live-action plates.
FX Simulations
Rigid body fractures, cloth dynamics, Pyro smoke and fire, SPH fluid simulations — all driven by physics force fields and custom solver parameters. Simulations are authored to match real-world physical references and production timescales.
Animation
Keyframe and curve-driven character and object animation, constrained to matchmoved camera data. Motion is refined through graph editor polish and layered with secondary dynamics to achieve believable inertia and weight.
Rendering
Production rendering with Arnold, V-Ray, and Cycles — plus real-time rendering in Unreal Engine. Deep AOV pipelines for maximum compositing control: beauty, diffuse, specular, SSS, motion vectors, depth, and cryptomatte.
Compositing
Node-based deep compositing in Nuke: tracking point paint-outs, clean plates, 3D projections, chroma keying, lens match, grade integration, and multi-layer EXR assembly into final deliverable sequences.
Pipeline Automation: Custom Solvers & Scripting
Tight schedules demand custom automation. By scripting survey alignment, focal length estimation, and tracker calibration, pipelines solve shots significantly faster. Explore tools like the 3DEqualizer Python Script collection.
AI-Powered Photo & Video Production
We are entering a new paradigm where computational intelligence matches traditional graphics pipelines. I design and build creation-on-demand pipelines of photo and video assets for the modern AI world, blending classic VFX techniques with deep neural generation.
Custom ComfyUI Workflows
Developing specialized Node-based ComfyUI and Stable Diffusion routines. Integrating ControlNet, IP-Adapter, and custom LoRA models for controlled, high-fidelity aesthetic outcomes.
Remote API Call Integrations
Triggering heavy GPU inference nodes remotely via REST APIs and WebSockets. Connecting frontend interfaces to cloud GPU providers (e.g. RunPod, Replicate, AWS) for scaling rendering dynamically.
Local LLM & External APIs
Integrating local LLMs (via Ollama/Llama.cpp) or external LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic) to dynamically generate scene descriptions, camera paths, prompt scripts, or interactive text-to-visual prompts.
Hybrid Integration
Piecing disparate technologies together: passing matchmove telemetry from 3DEqualizer to ComfyUI, using LLMs for prompt enrichment, and merging outputs for final high-fidelity composite assets.
AI-Driven FX & Simulations
Integrating neural simulations and generative physics to create highly realistic particle, smoke, and liquid effects for production pipelines.
AI Rendering & Upscaling
Leveraging neural denoising and super-resolution models to accelerate production and enhance final output quality.
AI Compositing & Inpainting
Automating seamless object removal, lighting matching, and scene extension through deep neural inpainting and segmentation.
Need VFX, Matchmove, FX, Motion Graphics, Compositing, Custom Pipeline or AI-Powered Production Services?
Whether you need a plate solved with sub-pixel precision, a custom Python tool for your CG pipeline, physics-driven simulations, or a bespoke AI content workflow — I offer focused, transparent freelance collaboration from start to finish.
High-Precision Matchmoving
Every shot is solved with sub-pixel precision using industry-standard tools like 3DEqualizer and PFTrack, paired with custom lens undistortion pipelines. Rock-solid 3D camera tracks and dynamic object solves — no slippage, no excuses.
Dual Art & Tech Competence
With equal fluency in CG art (photorealism, lighting, compositing) and computer science (pipeline scripting, API integrations, custom nodes), I translate complex technical requirements into high-fidelity visual results across the full production pipeline.
Free Evaluation & Fair Pricing
Send your plates or brief for a free technical review. I assess footage parallax, lens distortion, shot complexity, and noise levels upfront — no surprises on scope or budget. Every quote is customized to your actual production needs.
Flexible Freelance Collaboration
Work directly with the artist and engineer. From shot tracking and compositing to scripting software plugins and deploying AI GPU routines, I offer direct collaboration, fast iterations, and clear communication that integrates seamlessly into your pipeline.
FX Simulations & Dynamics
From rigid body fractures and cloth dynamics to pyro smoke, fire, and SPH fluid simulations — all driven by physics force fields and custom solver parameters. Every simulation is authored to match real-world physical references, production timescales, and your creative vision.
Photoreal Rendering & Lighting
Production rendering with Arnold, V-Ray, and Cycles — plus real-time rendering in Unreal Engine. Deep AOV pipelines for maximum compositing control: beauty, diffuse, specular, SSS, motion vectors, depth, and cryptomatte. Every light is crafted to match on-set references and blend CG seamlessly into live-action plates.
Deep Compositing & Grade Integration
Node-based deep compositing in Nuke: tracking point paint-outs, clean plates, 3D projections, chroma keying, lens match, and multi-layer EXR assembly into final deliverable sequences. Every composite is refined with color grading and lighting integration to achieve invisible, photoreal results.
Let's Build Something Exceptional
Have plates to solve, a simulation brief, a pipeline to automate, or an AI workflow to design? Send me your brief and let's talk craft, timeline, and budget.
Discuss Your Project →VFX Projects & Case Studies
A showcase of projects covering rendering, FX simulations, model creation, and advanced compositing. The majority of these projects are academic or tests developed before client work, and a significant portion of development work (such as custom scripts and pipeline tools) cannot be published due to NDAs.
3DEqualizer Scripts
A comprehensive collection of Python scripts for 3DEqualizer 4 to streamline camera tracking and matchmoving workflows.
View Study
Spumante Fluids
Time-freeze lookdev and fluid simulation with custom degraining and liquid rendering.
View StudyField Explosion
Rigid body dynamics, fractures, and pyro simulations solved with unknown camera parameters.
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Bloody Day
Solving camera and head trajectories to integrate a CG helmet onto a live-action driver.
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Post Humans
Academic CGI short film exploring mankind and nature. Visual effects, rendering, and editing.
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The Fall
Large-scale physics destruction, dust simulation, and deep compositing of a space impact.
View Study
Set Reconstruction
Reconstructing indoor and outdoor coordinates to align camera trajectories and hull meshes.
View Study
GreenField
Solving a virtual camera trajectory path across an open outdoor environment from raw plates.
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Tunnel Project
Reconstructing interior tunnel geometry and camera path using custom focal solving parameters.
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Rocks Retopo
Extracting high-density 3D meshes from raw rock scans and baking clean quad structures.
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Brooklyn Bridge
Tracking dynamic cable coordinates on the Brooklyn Bridge and fitting digital assets.
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Drivers Project
Solving lens distortion profiles to composite virtual logo markings onto the physical street.
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Graffiti Project
Camera solve on handheld DSLR footage with manual markers and rolling shutter correction.
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Speedy Boat
Tracking variable camera zoom coordinates and adding secondary flag dynamics/water spray.
View StudyInterior Render
Architectural interior render composited using over 100 passes with Maya and Nuke.
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Facial Rigging
Blendshape-based animation controls and sliders developed inside Autodesk Maya.
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Low High Head
3D head mesh dynamic LOD transition experiment using Three.js and custom GLSL vertex shaders.
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Low Poly Character
Character mesh modeled in Autodesk Maya with clean edge loops optimized for gaming.
View Image
Medikaline Reveal
Corporate 3D logo reveal and motion graphics sequence with dynamic volumetric lighting.
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3dRap Holograms
Sci-Fi product holograms, HUD elements, and tracking overlays designed for 3dRap.
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Big Explosion
High-density pyro fluid simulation, smoke grid solving, and volumetric render integration.
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The Bridge Fracture
Physics-based concrete fracturing cracks, debris emissions, and traffic remapping solves.
View StudyThe Crash Dynamics
Anamorphic car crash simulation using material bending variables and baked Alembic deformers.
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Lux Vide Logo
Dynamic brand logo reveal animation driven by fluid particle emissions and glows.
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